Team Will Kick-Off Season in March 2009

The Bay Area Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) franchise announced its team name today, FC Gold Pride. Along with its name, the Pride announced its home field, Buck Shaw Stadium at Santa Clara University, established the team’s colors, black and gold, and unveiled the new logo at the team’s kick off media event held today at Santa Clara University.

The team name, Pride, was selected by owners Brian and Nancy NeSmith and is derived from the reference to a group of lions. A lioness, prominently featured in the team’s black and gold logo serves as an icon for the team’s qualities of teamwork, strength and skill. Lioness are the providers of the pride and are often seen as the pinnacle of hunting prowess. Each lioness has a specific role within the group and work as a team to serve the greater good of the pride.

Buck Shaw Stadium at Santa Clara University will play host for all FC Gold Pride home games. The once mulit-purpose stadium has hosted football, baseball and soccer competitions since its opening in 1962. Now, a dedicated soccer field, the 10,300-seat stadium will be the home of the Pride which will kick off play in April 2009.

FC Gold investor group is led by Brian and Nancy NeSmith. The President and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Coat Systems, Brian NeSmith leads the company in its mission to provide organizations with total visibility and control of all Web communications. NeSmith has strategically guided Blue Coat Systems, formerly known as CacheFlow, into the number one proxy appliance position worldwide. Previously, he co-founded and was CEO of Ipsilon Networks, which was purchased by Nokia in 1997. He and his wife, Nancy – the first female WPS majority owner – have two soccer-playing daughters.

The Pride is now accepting ticket deposits for the 2009 season. For more information on FC Gold Pride and to reserve your seats for the inaugural season, visit www.fcgoldpride.com or call (408) 541-3511.